Arts Education at the Beach, Fifth Annual Otis Kite Festival an Event for the Whole Family

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Otis College of Art and Design brings world-renowned kite artists to Santa Monica for a day of art, education, and fun for all, Saturday, April 9, 2016, 11 am – 4 pm

“It is a fun and engaging educational experience and the perfect event to celebrate the beginning of spring.”

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB)March 29, 2016

Otis College of Art and Design will host its Fifth Annual Kite Festival adjacent to the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, April 9, 2016, 11 am – 4 pm. The event is free and open to the public. Parking at the Santa Monica Pier is $12 for all day access.

World-renowned kite artists offer something for everyone, from the inventions of artist-architect Tom Van Sant to the artful work of celebrated Disney legend Tyrus Wong. Attendees will also get the chance to see the evocative work of Melanie Walker, the large animal-inspired kites of George Peters, the highly-styled colorful kites of Ron Gibian, and the fantastic stunt kites of Kevin Bayless, Co-founder of the Revolution Sport Kite Team. In addition, kite makers from across the United States will showcase their work and create a "gallery in the sky.”

A workshop for kids focusing on the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) principles involved in kite-making will blend learning about the physics of flight, wind and climate, and sustainable materials with color theory, art, and design.

In addition to educational workshops, each attendee will be able to create their own kite using a provided kit and basic design instruction. Through generous support from The Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation, La Tijera Village, Art4Moore, the Tides Foundation, and Home Depot, Otis is able to provide materials for participants to create up to 3,000 kites.

“You and your family can make kites with Otis students and see some of the most breathtaking aerial sculptures recently made by professional kite artists,” says Otis’ Director of Integrated Learning Richard Shelton, who oversees the Creative Action program. “It is a fun and engaging educational experience and the perfect event to celebrate the beginning of spring.”

The Kite Festival, created by Otis’ Creative Action program as an educational community event, also partners with many organizations benefiting children throughout Los Angeles County. A major partner, Reclaiming Our Youth (R.O.Y.) has expanded the event to include kids from group homes, county facilities, public schools, treatment centers, and special needs homes. R.O.Y. is overseen by Wini Jackson, renowned advocate for children who has served Southern California communities for more than 30 years. Past partners LAUSD, Boys and Girls Club, Urban Compass, and Junior Blind of America have all participated in this fun and inspiring event.

The festival will take place directly north of the Santa Monica Pier, and entrance to the festival is free. A free shuttle leaves from Otis College and the Santa Monica Pier every hour. Additional parking will be available at the Santa Monica Pier Parking Lot for a fee of $12 and at public city lots.

The Creative Action Program at Otis College of Art and Design offers project-based courses that match multidisciplinary teams of students with local and international community partners. Creative Action courses introduce students to pressing environmental and social issues through partnerships with nonprofit organizations and public agencies. Through research, leadership, and collaboration, students focus their creativity on real-world problems. These skills are essential to the career of an artist or designer.

ABOUT OTIS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

Established in 1918, Otis College of Art and Design is a national leader in art and design education. The College mission is to prepare diverse students of art and design to enrich our world through their creativity, skill, and vision. Alumni and faculty are Fulbright, MacArthur, and Guggenheim grant recipients, Oscar awardees, legendary costume designers, leaders of contemporary art movements, and design stars at Apple, Anthropologie, Patagonia, Adobe, Pixar, DreamWorks, Mattel, Nike, and Disney.